L.A. PARKER: Christie's covert operation took us by surprise

It lacked the impact of former New Jersey Gov. Jim McGreevey’s “I am a gay American.”

In fact, revelation that Gov. Chris Christie secretly had lap band surgery arrived out of left field, especially after he had described himself as the “healthiest fat guy you’ll ever meet” during “The Late Show with David Letterman” appearance.

Christie, that night, palmed a donut from his pocket, took a bite then licked his fingers, as his butt side-saddled Letterman’s guest chair.

One day after his Feb. 5 Letterman showdown, Christie told Dr. Connie Mariano to close her pie hole after the former White House physician voiced concern about the governor’s weight.

Christie called Mariano a hack then berated her via typical brutish behavior.

“I find it fascinating that a doctor in Arizona who has never met me, never examined me, never reviewed my medical history or records, knows nothing about my family history, could make a diagnosis from 2,400 miles away,” Christie said.

Christie called Mariano “just another hack who wants five minutes on TV.”

“And it’s completely irresponsible, completely irresponsible ... and people who have a medical license; who have the privilege of having a medical license, should in my view conduct themselves more responsibly than that.”

Christie said more not worth traipsing through as Mariano said the governor risked heart attack, sleep apnea, stroke, high blood pressure, diabetes, etc.

Gov. Christie debunked it all then a week later went incognito, with an alias, without notice, for his lap band surgery.

The governor, who had won support for his downright honesty now looks like a fraud, especially since Christie and his handlers hushed the surgery news until questioned about it in May.

Some spin doctor said Christie’s covert operation would inspire others to have lap band surgery.

This is no watershed moment, just a guy with health insurance who gorged himself to the brink of desperation.

McGreevey’s big out delivered a more compelling story than Christie’s heavyweighted confession.

Everybody can see that Gov. Christie is overweight. Plus, he obviously enjoys food. That’s no crime.